Applications are initially reviewed for eligibility for entry into Griffith research programs by the Griffith Graduate Research School.

Following this initial review, applications are then forwarded to the appropriate schools, departments or research centres for academic staff to assess applications for entry into Griffith research programs. All applications are then assessed by the Dean (Research) of the relevant Group and the Dean, Griffith Graduate Research School, to arrive at an outcome against the eligibility criteria.

1) The maximum period of tenure for an Australian Government RTP Domestic Fee Offset is up to four years (full-time equivalent) for a Doctoral program and up to 2 years (fulltime equivalent) for a Masters (Research) program, calculated from the date of commencement in the HDR program.

(2) Periods of study towards the research degree within three years prior to commencement in the HDR program will be deducted from the period of the RTP Domestic Fee Offset for candidates seeking recognition of the prior research study.

4.2 Mode of attendance – Remote candidature

(1) Awardees can apply to undertake their program away from the University.

4.3 Study load

Candidates supported by an Australian Government RTP Domestic Fee Offset may apply to change their enrolment status from part-time to full-time or full-time to part-time in accordance with section 3.5.4 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure. Candidates in receipt of a stipend scholarship will also be subject to the enrolment status requirements set out in the conditions of award for that scholarship

4.4 Employment and other funding

(1) Awardees are permitted to undertake work, paid or otherwise, that is unrelated to their research project. However, it must not affect their ability to maintain their study load commitment, nor interfere with the timely progression and completion of their research project.

(2) Awardees should consult with their principal supervisor in regards to the decision to undertake employment while in the HDR program.

4.5 Change to HDR program

(1) Candidates supported by an Australian Government RTP Domestic Fee Offset may apply to change their candidature from a Doctoral to a Masters (Research) degree program or from a Masters (Research) to a Doctoral degree program in accordance with section 3.6.7 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure. Tenure of the RTP Domestic Fee Offset will be adjusted and fees fully offset accordingly upon transfer of candidature into the new program. Candidates in receipt of a stipend scholarship will also be subject to the candidature status requirements set out in the conditions of award for that scholarship.

(2) A request for transfer to Griffith University by a domestic HDR candidate in receipt of an Australian Government RTP Domestic Fee Offset from another university will be considered subject to sufficient RTP funds being available to support the candidate.  Normally, candidates seeking recognition of prior research study will only be approved to transfer from another institution where they have sufficient RTP Domestic Fee Offset tenure remaining to allow a minimum of one year (full-time equivalent) enrolment at the University.

(3)  On request, Griffith University will provide a HDR candidate with information about their RTP Domestic Fee Offset that is required for enrolment at another University.

(4) A request for a major change to the thesis topic can be considered as per Section 3.6.4 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure. If it is established through this approval process that the recorded field of research (FoR) and/or field of education (FoE) for the thesis topic have changed, the Griffith Graduate Research School will update these fields in the candidate’s record.

(5) Candidates supported by an Australian  Government RTP Domestic Fee Offset may apply to suspend their candidature in accordance with section 3.7 of the HDR Enrolment and Variations to Candidature Procedure.  Candidates in receipt of a stipend scholarship will also be subject to the requirements regarding suspension of candidature

4.6 Industry placements, research internships and professional practice activities

(1) Recipients of a Australian Government RTP Domestic Fee Offset Scholarship may undertake industry placements, research internships and professional practice activities that are approved by the Dean Research as part of their eligible HDR program.

(2) Ongoing receipt of a Australian Government RTP Domestic Fee Offset Scholarship may be available for the duration of an approved industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity if:

1. The awardee has not exceeded the maximum duration of their HDR program;
2. The awardee has sufficient tenure remaining;
3. The awardee has not submitted their thesis for examination; and
4. The industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity will run for at least 30 days and no more than six months duration.

4.7 Supervision and Infrastructure Support

1) All HDR candidates, including those in receipt of a HDR scholarship will be entitled to supervisory arrangements as detailed in the Higher Degree by Research Policy, with responsibilities of parties involved in the supervisory relationship set out in the University’s Code of Practice for the Supervision of HDR Candidates.

(2) All HDR candidates are entitled to support towards the infrastructure required for their project as set out in the Minimum Standards of Resources, Facilities and Other Support.

4.11 Termination of award

(1) An Australian Government RTP Domestic Fee Offset Scholarship will be terminated in any of the following circumstances:

1. at the end of the period of tenure provided for by the award or when the awardee lodges a thesis for examination, whichever is earlier;
2. on the candidate’s withdrawal from the HDR program;
3. if the candidate ceases to be enrolled and has not requested a period of suspension;
4. if the candidate does not resume study at the conclusion of a period of suspension or does not make arrangements to extend that period of suspension
5. if the candidate ceases to meet the eligibility criteria, other than during a period in which a suspension of candidature has been approved;
6. if the HDR candidature is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the offer of place in the HDR program, and no suitable alternative arrangements can be made for the continuation of the program.

4.13 Acknowledgement Requirement

(1) The Commonwealth Government’s contribution towards the offset of tuition fees must be acknowledged when, at any time during or after completion of the HDR program, the awardee, his/her supervisor or any other party, publishes or produces scholarly material and/or artistic works which relate to the research project carried out by the awardee. This acknowledgement must take the form of a statement included in the published material mentioning the support received through an ‘Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship’

4.14 Relevant External Documents

• Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines (Research) 2017
• The Department of Education and Training’s Research Training Program (RTP) webpage
• The Department of Education and Training’s Research Training Program – Frequently Asked Questions for students

(1) A candidate who is dissatisfied with a decision to terminate the fee offset may request a review of the decision in accordance with the Student Review and Appeals Policy.

Refer to the Research degree scholarships for information on living allowance scholarships that may be awarded in conjunction including the Australian Government RTP Stipend Scholarship and the Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship.